How deep should the sand base be for paving in South Africa?

The compacted sand bedding layer under paving should be 25–40mm deep after compaction, typically installed at 30mm. This sits on top of a compacted sub-base of 100–150mm of G5 crushed stone or compacted natural gravel. The total construction depth below the paver surface is therefore approximately 130–190mm, depending on intended traffic loading.

What sand should I use for paving in South Africa?

Use coarse concrete sand (sharp sand) for the bedding layer, not plaster sand or pit sand. Coarse sand compacts properly and maintains its shape under load. Plaster sand or fine sand will pump out under traffic, causing pavers to sink and become uneven. For the joint filling between pavers, a finer jointing sand or dry mortar mix is recommended.

What is the best paving pattern for a driveway in South Africa?

Herringbone (45° or 90°) is the strongest paving pattern for driveways in South Africa as it provides excellent interlocking and distributes load across multiple pavers. Stack bond (grid) is the easiest to lay but the weakest pattern. Stretcher bond (brick bond) is a good compromise — easier than herringbone but stronger than stack. Herringbone 45° also requires the most cuts, so increase wastage to 15%.

Do I need a cement base under pavers?

For standard pedestrian and light vehicle paving in South Africa, a compacted crushed stone sub-base with a sand bedding layer is sufficient — no concrete base is required. A concrete base is only recommended for heavy vehicle access (delivery trucks, heavy bakkies) or where ground conditions are very poor. A concrete base makes future repairs more difficult and more expensive.

Paving Calculator South Africa — Pavers, Sand Base & Patterns

🪨 Last Updated: May 2026 · SA Paver Sizes & Construction Standards

🪨Paving Calculator — Enter Project Details

Paving Area Length (metres)Longest dimension of area

Paving Area Width (metres)Shortest dimension

Paver Size

Laying Pattern

Sand Bedding Depth (mm)

Wastage Override

🪨 Total Pavers Required (inc. wastage)

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Paving Area

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Pavers per m²

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Pavers (no wastage)

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Bedding Sand (m³)

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Sand (bulk bags)

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Jointing Sand (bags)

⚠️ For planning purposes only. Always include a compacted sub-base before the sand bedding layer. Consult a contractor for complex or high-traffic paving.

Paving Calculations in South Africa — Complete Guide

Paving a driveway, patio or pathway is one of the most common improvement projects for South African homeowners. Getting the material quantities right before you order avoids costly shortfalls or excess paver wastage. The key variables are paver size, laying pattern, and the depth of your sand bedding layer — all of which this calculator accounts for with SA-specific paver dimensions.

SA Paver Sizes and Coverage

Paver Size	Type	Pavers per m² (3mm joint)	Best Use
200×100mm	Standard brick paver	~50/m²	Driveways, paths, general use
230×115mm	Larger brick paver	~38/m²	Driveways, large areas
300×300mm	Square slab paver	~11/m²	Patios, pool areas
400×200mm	Large rectangular	~13/m²	Large patios and pool surrounds
400×400mm	Large square slab	~6/m²	Premium patios

Paving Calculator Formula

Formula

Paving area (m²) = Length × Width Pavers (no waste) = Area × Pavers per m² Pavers (with waste) = Pavers (no waste) × (1 + wastage %) Sand volume (m³) = Area × Sand depth (m) × 1.15 (compaction factor) Bulk bags (0.75m³ each) = Sand volume ÷ 0.75

Paving Base Construction — What Goes Under Your Pavers

A properly constructed paving base is critical for paving that stays level, stable and crack-free over time. The standard SA residential paving construction from bottom to top is:

Natural ground (compacted): Compact existing subgrade to minimum 90% Proctor density
G5 sub-base (100–150mm compacted): Crushed stone or natural gravel, compacted in layers
Coarse concrete sand bedding (30mm compacted): Screeded to level — do not compact before pavers are placed
Pavers: Laid to pattern with 3mm joints
Jointing sand: Brushed into joints and vibrated/tamped in
Plate compactor pass: Beds pavers firmly into sand layer

Herringbone vs Stretcher Bond vs Stack Bond

Herringbone is the strongest interlocking pattern because pavers lock against each other in two directions, distributing load across multiple units. It is the correct choice for any driveway carrying vehicles. Stretcher bond (brick bond) is easier to lay and cuts only occur at edges — a good compromise for pedestrian areas. Stack bond is the easiest to lay but provides no interlocking and is not suitable for driveways. The 45° herringbone pattern produces the most cutting waste (15%) because every edge cut is at an angle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pavers do I need per square metre in South Africa?

Standard SA 200×100mm brick pavers cover approximately 50 pavers per m² with 3mm joints. Larger 230×115mm pavers cover approximately 38 per m². Always add 10% wastage minimum, or 15% for herringbone or diagonal patterns.

How deep should the sand base be under paving?

The compacted sand bedding layer should be 25–40mm deep after compaction — 30mm is standard for residential driveways and paths. This sits on a 100–150mm compacted G5 crushed stone sub-base. Do not skip the sub-base — it prevents settlement and keeps the paving level over time.

What sand do I use under paving?

Use coarse concrete sand (sharp sand) for the bedding layer. Never use plaster sand or pit sand — it pumps out under traffic, causing pavers to sink and become uneven. For jointing between pavers, a finer jointing sand or dry mortar mix (6:1 sand:cement) is brushed into the joints.

What is the best paving pattern for a driveway?

Herringbone 90° or 45° is the strongest and most recommended pattern for driveways as it interlocks in two directions. Stretcher bond is acceptable for light driveways. Never use stack bond on a driveway — it provides no interlocking and will shift under vehicle loads.

How much does paving cost per square metre in South Africa?

In 2026, installed paving by a contractor typically costs R350–R550/m² for standard concrete pavers, including materials and labour. DIY materials-only cost is approximately R180–R280/m². Premium clay or tumbled pavers cost more. Prices vary by province.

Do I need a concrete base under pavers?

No — for standard pedestrian and light vehicle paving, a compacted crushed stone sub-base with sand bedding is sufficient. A concrete base is only needed for very heavy vehicle access or extremely poor ground conditions. A concrete base also makes repairs significantly more difficult and expensive.

🏗️ Related Developer Tools

→Concrete Volume Calculator — Slabs, Foundations & Driveways →Brick Calculator — Quantities with Mortar & Cement →Building Cost Calculator — Cost Per m² by Province

Paving Calculator — South Africa